Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-09-01
LONDON SOCIETY.
Changes Effected In Its Etiquette By the
Lively American Maiden.

have arisen great changes in London
society, as the days are passed when
the arlstocracy ruled as well over the
social as over the political world.
These changes have been brought
about by the immense fortunes made
in trade and finance, and by the
spread of liberal ideas that have dis
PEELED the notion that nobleman is to
be worshipped simply on account Of
his rank. The men who have amassed
wealth in speculative channels are gem
orally prodigal in their expenditures,
and thus it is that these parvenIs. as
they are styled among the upper tier.
live in a more OstentatiOus and even
princely style than many nobleman.
who is often burdened with entailed
estates that. year by year. are declin-
ing in value. Among the old aristo-
cratic families there was so much for
mality and etiquette that it is pleas
ing excitement among the younger
branches to tend the varied entertain
ments offered by these princes Of fl
nance, to which. in many eases, are in
vited the most eminent men in politics,
literature and the arts. 1t was thus
that society in London became fused.
while at the same time it has been
broken up into cliques and sets that
turn in their own orbits, with tho
court as central stellar attraction.
Still another element in these
changes in society is formed by the
large number of rich Australians and
Americans who pass the season in Lon
don. These are men of the world,
vino, in their intercourse with English
men, dispel many OF those old fash
Toned, narrow-minded, ideas with
which the mind of the average British
er is so replete. These foreign finan-
ciers for years past have held intimate
relations with leading firms or bank
ing houses in the great metropolis. and
through their introductions they ut
once assume as prominent position in
London's social circle as they held in
their own country. 1t is true that
complaints are rife among American
families, that it is far more difficult for
the ladies to extend their social rela-
tons than it is in the case of the men.
This is easily explained. The English
lady has already large circle of ac-
quaintances among her London and
country friends, and looks with dread
on the ceremonial visits necessitated
by the making of new acquaiEtances.
Then, even if she occupies one of the
spacious mansions of Belgravia or Ken
sington. she has but limited rooms for
her parties, so she has to issue perhaps
a thousand invitations when there are
for merely couple
of hundred. In some cases the circle
of acquaintance is so enlarged that it
is necessary to divide her guests into
two sets. and even then there are
many who, Ona mere introduction,
feel sighted because they do not re-
ceive an invitation.
1t is stated that there are a great
many American girls in London, and
that they have produced marked eff
feet in social circles. This is easily to
be believed, as there is such a marked
difference between the English girl
and her American cousin. 1t is an
old tradition in the British isles that
the girls should be brought up in
rigid seclusion in their own family
circle. Their animal spirits are sup
pressed, for fear they should become
hoydens or romps. or if addicted to
saying smart things, that they should
acquire the horrible name of clever
girl. Even when they make their
debut. by an Introduction at court,
they are held under the strictest rules
and surveillance. So it is not aston
ishing that so many girls in England
make ill-assorted marriages, in order
to escape this thraldom at any cost.
When they are married they are more
likely 10 abuse their newly-acquired
freedom than if they had been brought
up under less rigid regime.
With the American girl there is a
marked contrast in the way of educa-
ton. From an early age she is made
the pet of the household; SO much so.
that in many instances her sweet will |
is law. She il quick. impetuotS apt |
to speak her thoughts in a concise.
clever manner that imparts zest to
The well-bred Amer;-
can girl has travelled in many climes;
has picked up mass of general in
and is not bashful in show.
ing her many accomplishments to adj
She is for the most part
pretty, graceful and we'll dressed, and,
as the Parisians say. she possesses the
taste and finesse of a married woman,
with the grace and charms Of
a maiden on her promotion. As a
rule, the British mater familias looks
askance at her free deport-
ment but that signifies little to the
bright American girl. who. in many
cases. will secure the prizes in the
matrimonial market and who, in
urn, through her wealth and position,
will effect many more changes in Lon
lon society.-San Francisco Chro,-
Gle